The Canon is an 11/9 design and the Zeiss is a 9/8 design. Both have a single aspherical surface. The length and girth similarity is due to the fact that the lens is very fast and it takes some space to fit enough elements to make such a lens sharp. Other than the fact that they're both reverse-telephoto lenses (like pretty much all SLR wide-angle lenses) they seem pretty different.

The newer 35/2 is a 9/7 design and again pretty different from both f/1.4 lenses.

Anyway, all three are amazing. I'm glad we have so many options at this focal length since it's one of my favorites. Between these three and the flektogon and EF 35/2 anyone could find the lens for their needs (AF, close focusing, bokeh, "look", weight, etc.)

The lens discussed here is the older Zeiss 35/1.4 that was made in CY and Rollei mounts. The newer Zeiss Zx 35/2 lenses are a different design.

Here's what I have read about the Rollei 35/1.4's:
The older (non-rubber focus ring) design may not be as good optically.
The best performing Zeiss 35/1.4 optics may have been sent to Rollei (a German company).

Believe what you will, but I know my Rollei 35/1.4 is just fantastic with a Kindai adapter. I found it to have better color, contrat, and bokeh than the Canon 35L on my SLR/c:

pdmphoto wrote:
The lens discussed here is the older Zeiss 35/1.4 that was made in CY and Rollei mounts. The newer Zeiss Zx 35/2 lenses are a different design.

Here's what I have read about the Rollei 35/1.4's:
The older (non-rubber focus ring) design may not be as good optically.
The best performing Zeiss 35/1.4 optics may have been sent to Rollei (a German company).

Believe what you will, but I know my Rollei 35/1.4 is just fantastic with a Kindai adapter. I found it to have better color, contrat, and bokeh than the Canon 35L on my SLR/c:

I have the older version. I am very please with the results. If the newer on is even better then good for you. Mine is the best fast 35 I have used. Well I might have to go find a rubber ring version then... :-)